The MARDS project deals with one of the most acute problems in the Montenegrin and Albanian educational system, the doctoral studies. Its main objective is to contribute significantly to the reformation of doctoral studies in accordance with the Salzburg principles and to establish sustainable and modern joint pilot doctoral schools between two friendly neighboring partner countries, which will serve as an example of “good practice” for the Western Balkan region. In the medium to long term, the MARDS project contributes to building, improving and continuously expanding sustainable capacities in the field of doctoral studies in the two countries, Montenegro and Albania. In order to achieve this, the relevant ministries of both countries are part of the consortium in addition to academic partners.

The Researcher Mental Health Observatory (ReMO) COST Action (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), is a coordinated and evidence-based international networking action, aimed at promoting mental health skills and wellbeing within academia. At the moment of writing, the consortium already includes 29 member countries and 100+ leading researchers and practitioners. ReMO is a four year action that will build an Evidence Hub (E-HUB), a Training and Dialogue Network (TDN) and dissemination platform for institutional policy and best practice guidelines. Crucial to ReMO’s mission is its capacity in bringing together stakeholders from academia, practitioners, private sector, civil society, higher education management and researchers to actively and efficiently exchange input on experienced challenges, best and worst practices, knowledge gaps and needs.